Johor Darul Ta’Zim face second defeat in the AFC Champions League Elite 2025/26 (East Zone) after losing to Melbourne City 0-2 at Melbourne Rectangular Stadium, Melbourne.
Inside the opening minute, Caputo found space inside the six-yard box from a Kai Trewin cross, but his early header drifted wide. But he made no mistake two minutes later.
Off a smart corner routine with Takeshi Kunimori, the Japanese midfielder swung in a perfect delivery, and the 20-year-old nodded home from point-blank range to give City the early lead.
JDT’s danger man Bergson came close to equalising in the 17th minute, meeting Israfilov’s through ball only for defender Liam Bonetig to block at the last moment.
The Brazilian went even closer later in the half, unleashing a sharp turn-and-shot that forced Beach into a stunning fingertip save.
Moments later, the City goalkeeper denied Oscar Arribas from distance, before producing another acrobatic stop to deny Jairo’s header just before the break.
Beach’s heroics continued into the second half as he dropped low to keep out Bergson again on 61 minutes, reinforcing his status as the match’s standout performer.
City nearly doubled their lead in the 73rd minute when Besian Kutleshi dragged his shot agonisingly across goal, while at the other end, Jairo almost found the equaliser as his stretching effort looped onto the crossbar.
JDT’s growing desperation left space at the back—and City capitalised.
In added time, a loose ball fell to Medin Memeti, who unleashed a thunderous strike that bounced off the underside of the bar and into the net, sealing the crucial three points.
With the triumph, the A-League champions climb to nine points from five matches, pulling two points clear of JDT who remain on seven.
Credit Photo : AFC
